INDIVIDUALS MATTER
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Opening Prayer
Thank you for your Word, Father, that tells me of the fathomless love of my Savior and teaches me how to follow him.
Read MATTHEW 4:18—25
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Matthew
Matthew 4
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,
22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.
25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Reflect
How do you see your role of discipleship worked out as you follow Jesus day to day?
It’s a surprise that Jesus, who has a mission to win the whole world with God’s love, chooses to work with individuals. How can he spend so much time and energy on the small scale? Today, we see this in the choosing of four named fishermen. Fishing was a common trade in Galilee, and it’s startling that he goes to some ordinary fishermen when you consider the wide choice of people available. He discerns their spiritual openness and willingness to be trainee disciples. In return, they see in Jesus someone whose personality and sheer presence command an eager response. The marvel of this spiritual encounter is repeated whenever ordinary people open their lives to Jesus, as they recognize his lordship. For all of us, as with these fishermen, this marks the beginning of the journey of discipleship. Some will be called to be leaders, but none of us escapes responsibility to catch others for the kingdom.
Equally notable is the focus on individuals in Jesus’ healing ministry. Underlying every detail of their disease and illness, and the extensive geographical reach far beyond Galilee, there are innumerable individuals in distress. Just imagine the effort expended to travel to see him. Such large crowds of ordinary suffering people. This summary hides countless personal stories of individuals restored by Jesus. Many of these stories are later fleshed out in more detail.
Three hallmarks of his kingdom are established here: preaching, teaching, and healing. The first two are widely practiced today. And the third? I recall being asked by a woman who was ill whether I would visit her and obey James 5:14—16. This was to be my first experience of healing, leading me to discover a new dimension to God’s love for us. There is an undeniable mystery about suffering, but Jesus does care about us personally in body, mind, and spirit.
Apply
The practice of healing is controversial for some. Where do you stand?
Closing prayer
Lord, thank you for meeting me in my ordinary life and offering me your loving care—care that can be matched by none other. Please use me to proclaim who you are to the hurting world around me.
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